A/n-Thank you for all the reviews and yes originally this was not part of the plot. But I felt the connection would fit better in this rewritten version. Please feel free to leave notes or follow. -GP

Chapter 42

Month 1 Day 30 Year 27 BBY

Location: Qui-gon Jinn's safe house.

Anakin breathes in a huge gulp of air, upon hearing the truth. His body trembles under him and he has to place himself onto the floor, leaning against the space suit behind him. His mind is reeling with the truth.

Yes, you are my son.

He had always felt a connection with Admiral Jinn, even in his youth. He remembers being a child watching the old holo news reports from the Clone Wars. His mother had just smiled at his heroism and told him that he believed in a real hero. He had hung posters of Jinn on his walls as a young teen and Padme' had laughed at him. She had said something along the lines of having a crush on a hero. His dreams had come true with meeting Qui-gon for the first time, in a million light years he would think he'd be learning the truth of everything. The truth that his childhood hero was his own father.

But what of his purpose? His powers were stronger than the Emperor's. Everyone could sense the powers he had had when he arrived at the Imperial Academy over a year ago. He had been fighting for the rebellion because of his connection to the Empire. But had he really? He had joined yearning to learn from his idol. He had continued his journey because of what had happened to his daughter. He hadn't wanted to fight against the Emperor because of his blood, it had been other means of motivation. He had felt so tied to his destiny of being the chosen one, and tied to what the rebellion wanted of him. He could escape that life now if he chose to.

But could he walk away from the cause? The answer was simple- no he couldn't. He was as much a part of it as his father was. He wanted the galaxy back into an era of freedom from the Emperor, but it put his life in more danger if the Emperor found out about the truth.

" I wanted to tell you sooner, but I didn't know how," murmurs his father to him.

Anakin clasps his father's hand with his own trembling one. He is not angry with him. How could he be? Qui-gon hadn't known for very long himself. How could he yell and scream at a man who had done nothing but guide him on the path of the light side?

Anakin attempts to smile, but finds it's harder to do with the shock still rolling through his body. He attempts to speak instead, " I knew there was a connection between us, but I thought that was only because of worshiping my iconic hero as a child. I never would have thought anything else. I wanted a man like you to be my father. When I was a kid, that's all I wanted someone like you to raise me, share with me advice. When you told me I was a lab created clone, I felt lost and you gave me purpose to fight on."

Qui-gon laughs slightly. He hardly laughed anymore, but the boy's heroic view of him was laughable. He had been a hero at one time and had fallen into the darkness of the force. He and his master both had blindly followed Sheev down the path they had taken for some time now. He had lost his own purpose until Shmi had waltzed into his life.

He places a hand on his son's shoulder and murmurs, " I was lost until I met your mother. She's the reason I changed sides. She asked me to come with her when I helped her escape."

Anakin searched his gray eyes and asked, " Did you love her? Why didn't you go with her?"

Qui-gon breathes in and states, " Honestly, there are times I wonder that myself. I could have gone with her, but that would mean we would have been living on the run your entire life. The Empire would have hunted me down because I betrayed them. It was safer for them to think some former Jedi had helped you escape. And yes I loved your mother deeply. She's the only woman I've ever loved. I've kept fighting all these years hoping the two of you were out there safe."

Anakin nods and is reminded once more why he shouldn't continue the conversation he had avoided with Padme'. He loves her with his very core, but to keep her safe had been the purpose of not telling her. Qui-gon places something in his hands. It's a passport and credits.

" I want to give you a chance to live a normal life once more. If you choose to do so, we will fake your death. Yours and hers." He confesses.

Anakin's eyes widen upon seeing the credits laying in his hands. He and Padme' could start a life together- somewhere far away from here. Far away from her soon to be ex-husband. Far away from the Empire. Far away from their family and friends.

" Qui-gon- I'm honored by your gift, but you and I both know I cannot just leave and neither will she. She won't leave behind her family. She is too family oriented and I sure as hell won't leave her as long as Rush is out there and can hurt her." He admits.

Qui-gon takes back the credits and passport. He runs his hands through his hair and admits, " I knew your answer, but I still had to offer it to you. I wanted to give you the chance of a normal life with the woman you love, one I didn't take."

Anakin smiles at his father and mutters, " I appreciate that, but I'm in this for the long hull. I promised to bring justice to the man who murdered my daughter. I promised to help restore the Republic to its former glory." He pauses and says, " If the Emperor is not aware of our relations, how will I be able to be of any use, when this is discovered?"

Qui-gon nods in agreement. " I don't know Anakin. As long as the truth stays hidden, you're an asset when it comes to Sheev. He believes there is hope of the transference of power once he is ready to die, which won't be much longer according to my former mentor. His body is giving out due to age and years of injuries from the battles against the Jedi. We just have to continue the charade for now, until we can bring down the Empire for good."

Anakin shakes his head in agreement and stands to his feet. " I think we should head to my apartment. I'd sure like to see Ben and the rest of my friends."

Qui-gon knows he's referring to the love of his life, but has included the rest of his friends to make a point of his urgency for leaving. He helps his young son off the floor and gestures to the exit. The two men walk in usion, knowing that their fates are tied together and family being united finally.

To Be Continued.